Tales from English Folklore #2: The Dancers of Stanton Drew

In the second of our Tales from English Folklore series, we bring to life the legend of how Stanton Drew Stone Circles in Somerset were apparently formed. It all began with a wedding long, long ago...
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[@guidoferri8683]

The stones are so distant from each others that the couple and the guests probably started playing frisbee at some point

[@pattizayas1051]

haaaaaaaaa

[@deeksharajpoot1307]

😂😂

[@scouttyra]

Did the piper have a cloven hoof? This story reminds me of an old Swedish folk tale, called Hårgadansen (in English "the Hårga dance). It goes something like this: It was Saturday evening, and the youth of Hårga were having a party; when suddenly a new fiddler arrived, with burning eyes and a big, dark hat. He lifted his violin and bow, and started playing. He played a song no one had heard before, and no one could resist the music. They danced, and were unable to stop. They danced until their legs were aching and their feet bled. They danced until they wore out their shoes, and still the mysterious fiddler played. As the dawn approached, he led them up Hårga mountain, and still they danced. Once on the top, they continued to dance, now in a ring. They danced until their feet were pulp, and they danced until their shins were no more. Their thighs became shorter and shorter, and still they danced. They danced until nothing but grinning skulls were left, still moving in the circle, moving in a parody of dance. You can still see the circle that was made by the dancers, and if you go there at the right time you might see the skulls in their dance, and/or hear the ghostly strains of a lonely violin. If you do, be careful, lest you join in the dance yourself. The fiddler? Dissapeared to never be seen again, although people say he had a cloven hoof.

[@EnglishHeritage]

Thank you for sharing, that certainly is a similar story! Many folk tales cross over between nations and cultures, so one may have inspired the other. You can read more about where myths, legends and folk tales come from on our blog: bit.ly/2XGP7G9

[@kbye2321]

This sounds more similar to the Pied Piper of Hamelin, honestly. Though it could happen that the two tales mixed.

[@scouttyra]

@@kbye2321 Strange musicians luring people away with their instrument (is no basis for a system of government) (joke aside) is a similar theme between Hårga and Hamelin. Although Hårga and Stanton Drew do share the similar theme of the dancers dancing until the sabbath and being punished. It is really interesting how you can find similar themes and threads in folklore from different places.

[@kbye2321]

@@scouttyra It really is interesting. I do wonder though if there are grains of truth in these stories.

[@scouttyra]

@@kbye2321 Probably, but most of the time it has probably been deeply buried under centuries of storytelling

[@rachelball1174]

Thank you for another wonderful story. I must say that had Mrs. Crocombe been in attendance, the festivities would have ended in a timely manner, and this tragedy would have been prevented.

[@EnglishHeritage]

We're glad you enjoyed it, Rachel. If you look very closely, you might spot a familiar face...

[@kristic4472]

@@EnglishHeritage love her red dress!

[@ghidorahs1fan209]

I know this story told by my great grandmother that they were turned by the fay not by the devil. For dancing there after midnight when the fay wanted to dance on the night of midsummer.

[@tdsims1963]

Interesting. I immediately thought of the Faerie. Wonder if there's an even more distant ancestor of this tale that involves that realm?

[@melissasaint3283]

The sound effects and quality of the narration reminds me of a wonderful audiobook of Dickens ghost stories that I have. Nicely done!

[@ShreyaRao]

Folktales are so creative, imagine such wild imagination in today's people that would create more such interesting stories that we miss reading and getting chills over!

[@SaberAllen29]

I've read this on a book and its really hard to imagine because I'm in asia. I only see is a blurry picture in my mind 😂. Thanks to English heritage. I love this channel

[@imogenbegns]

Is this why Stonehenge is called a "dance"? I've heard of that...or at least dreamed it, and I can't find it called that anywhere now.

[@dawne6419]

One of the legend about Stonehenge is that Merlin created it by causing stones to rise and float across the land (and maybe the sea), in what could be called a dance. I think I've heard one where he played the pipes to do so.

[@EnglishHeritage]

That's right Dawn. Stonehenge was also known as the Giant's Dance as Merlin is said to have magically transferred the stones from Ireland to build a commemorative monument. We now know that the smaller 'bluestones' were brought from the Preseli Hills in West Wales. You can find out more here: bit.ly/2wOjnmu

[@inessamaria2428]

I like to know about folklore. This story is fascinating.

[@headphonez5895]

I’m an American but I find these videos so interesting

[@groovypullet2337]

Anyone else reminded of the trailer for midsomar? 😱😱

[@mirandamom1346]

Thank you, Dr Hutton; it’s always a pleasure!

[@kendalson7817]

Cute. I love old folktales.

[@NorthworthySagasStories]

Me too and we've told many on this channel.

[@markitsche987]

Enjoyed this one quite a lot. Thanks!

[@paradiseoflife9690]

Im from indonesian Im love this channel😍😍😘 Siapa disini dari indonesia?

[@tdsims1963]

What a great story!

[@gabrielniculaita8131]

I loved that legend. I didn't know her. I love your videos, are just wonderful. Thank you very much. I'm an unconditional fan. Gabriel

[@GrumpyKitten375]

I love English heritage!! Greats history! More please!

[@darlenevm]

Great history lesson and legend. Thanks!

[@normamoore7024]

I luv ya Professor!👏

[@laurametheny1008]

Thanks guys!🇬🇧😍🤘

[@Tina06019]

“Sing and dance and make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

[@debbieboring3422]

Thank you for another wonderful folktale. So enjoy all of the things you post on your channel.

[@EnglishHeritage]

We're so glad you enjoyed it, Debbie. Stay tuned and subscribe for more episodes in the coming weeks.

[@sanewfield1]

Loved that little story. Thank you.

[@MsHazard1]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@3daysago266]

Isn't folklore beautiful?

[@mrclueuin]

Yep! 😊

[@shreyasiroy3579]

❤❤❤

[@rami-sep]

Very much

[@NorthworthySagasStories]

It's both a wonderful and fascinating subject.

[@talosheeg]

This is so cool!

[@lsjt8924]

Hey! Are you going to make videos? I want to learn to sew and just saw your username! Please do make videos!

[@valoric4767]

Interesting legend. Also awesome eyebrows on that historian! haha

[@teganl6032]

How did I not find this series sooner!

[@mariansmith7694]

Thank you

[@sarahlabbe9779]

It reminds me a lot of one of Québec's folklore tale called "Le violon magique", people celebrating mardi gras, the devil showing up and danced. At midnight everything and everyone went underground and disappeared. The next day there was a tree with everybody's hat in it and the remains of a burnt violin on the ground. I think it's either a common trope or the story came over and stemmed from this one and got deformed over the years.

[@EnglishHeritage]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing, Sarah. These stories often have shared roots across different countries and cultures. You might enjoy our blog post all about the origins of myths and legends: bit.ly/2XGP7G9

[@tdsims1963]

Oh, I don't think deformed, just transformed. It's great to trace the lineage of a folk tale. Thanks!

[@grandmahouse3778]

How to make a video the victorian way? For this Recipe you will need. Mrs crocombe

[@NorthworthySagasStories]

This is a similar theme with stone circles with people turning into stone. Very nicely produced video. I can only dream and aspire to make content like this.

[@LilyLily-vo9rp]

Great channel! I am Hongkonger and I would like to know more different culture and stories in different countries…About the legend of stone and love story , it was a story in my place … It was a ancient story a woman get marry with a man but the man join the war later on… The woman very love him and take after her son , also wait for him long long time and wish him came back … but many years they become a rock

[@astroranger5528]

What does Mrs. Crocombe think of the standing stones? She doesn't put up with such nonsense xD

[@MartinsGarage97]

Wonder what delicious things she’s making? Love that series

[@EnglishHeritage]

If you look very closely, you might just spot her...

[@astroranger5528]

@@EnglishHeritage Mrs. Crocombe time travels... is she going to be the 14th Doctor of Doctor Who!?

[@ASLEFshrugged]

"They were encouraged by a mysterious musician who arrive from nowhere"...nowhere aka New Ash Green rugby club! Skoot ho!!!!

[@Ankhsheshonq]

This reminds me of a kind of legends that are known as Hårgadansen in Sweden (there is a song about it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6vSoYipns6okKc). Usually, the youths of a place dance on a Sunday or on a Churchyard during High Mass. The Devil comes and plays for them and they cannot stop dancing until feet, bones, torsos, and, finally, sculls have been torn down so that, in the end, merely the sculls are dancing, making a deep ring in the rocky ground. Several versions of this legend were known in Germany in the 11th and 12th century.

[@EnglishHeritage]

How interesting! Thank you for sharing. These stories often have shared roots across different countries and cultures. You might enjoy our blog post all about where myths and legends come from: bit.ly/2XGP7G9

[@thegourmetgrandadandfamily]

How Spooky........

[@azraamaya]

Or, maybe they pulled a prank on the harper and put one of their clothing on some rocks to mark their anniversary there..

[@nutzerindesassozialennetzw6587]

So the lesson is don't partie to hard

[@NorthworthySagasStories]

Oh yes, don't party too hard around standing stones. You'll either be turned into a stone or worse disappear completely. To where? No one knows.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Moral of the story: Don't party til the eves of morning, because you'll be too exhausted to worship, and the heavens will turn you into stone, the fate of Lot's disobedient wife. Me: Too bad. Rather be a free ghost dancing forever in a meadow, than a slave of the medieval church, subject to be accused of sorcery or heresy.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Of course stones can dance. England is a land of high magic and mysticism. Close your eyes and imagine.

[@daveandgena3166]

*SPOILER* Professor RON!!

[@gumisora]

Now want to try that hahahha so sad is completely in english, I wanted to share this with my little brother.

[@apiratesbbq1344]

ooooohhhh! was this story that Children of the Stones lifted?

[@EnglishHeritage]

Good question! Children of the Stones was actually filmed at Avebury (the country's largest stone circle) while Stanton Drew is the second largest, but they share many similarities. You can find out more about Avebury here: bit.ly/31C1YeZ

[@liplapdvs9443]

Wait so like the Hurlers of Bodmin Moor?

[@I_am_Lauren]

Medieval lessons: don't get too crunk or you'll make God jealous and you'll turn into stone.

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

That thought is a bit of a carryover from Greek and Roman mythology. The gods of those tales were prone to jealousy and struck out at anyone who got "too happy". 😕😦

[@deusexrockina]

Lol Medival God was mean as hell lol

[@wendyeames5758]

When he said they were built for a religion about which nothing is known... Why do they think they were for religion at all then?maybe sport, commerce or something to honor or communicate with the dead?

[@priscillavelazquezs]

Don't burn the midnight oil...

[@jamieleebongay4531]

It's hard to spot Mrs. Crocombe.

[@elaineschoepf8024]

The Harper, they. Thank you. 😘

[@FGBFGB-vt7tc]

Is it me or is it a stern warning against pagan rituals by the competing Christian Church?. Cheers.

[@reddyforlenny9389]

Or maybe its just a warning to being irresponsible and taking the party too far

[@norimori5170]

its just an advice to not be too carried away otherwise you may end up with misfortunes

[@FGBFGB-vt7tc]

@@norimori5170 I love my take, but I also like yours a lot. Thanks and Cheers!

[@norimori5170]

FGB4877 FGB4877 cheers!☺️

[@raraavis7782]

Never ruin a good story with the truth 😄😉

[@siewheilou399]

Did you hear Harper or Harpers? I hear Harper throughout the entire video.

[@idraote]

Mrs Crocombe would never have allowed such dancing nonsense, out there, in the dark. That said, the harper has a remarkable middle-eastern look for XVIII century England.

[@tdsims1963]

Read your history a little deeper. There were dark-skinned people (Moors) in London during the Elizabethan period. Elizabeth kicked them out during her reign. And remember, by the 18th century, the English were in North America and India. There are accounts of Arabs in China and Japan at this point, why not England?

[@rami-sep]

Aren't the English tales so resemble to brothers Grimm fairy tales? That's probably because both of them are Germanic in origin

[@NorthworthySagasStories]

These tales of folk being turned into standing stones goes back a long way in history RAMI.

[@BedboundME]

This just shows how human legends and myths originate. Usually as Some sort of part explanation from their limited knowledge or understanding/ part morality tale. It’s quite boring, unfortunately I bet this also explains many of the “stories” of the bible - Adam and Eve, Johan and the whale, sodom and Gomorrah etc. Amazing they’re taught around the world as truths from the mouth of god. When they fit the mould as from the minds of men. The real story of these stones is far more interesting and glorious. Obviously unknown to those Christians in the past, who did the equivalent of explaining crop circles as alien caused in modern times. .

[@juliebaker6969]

If these stones "represent a "religion" we know absolutely nothing about." what makes you so sure they have anything to do with a religion at all? Either you know absolutely nothing about them, or you know that they have to do with an ancient religion. Those two premisses are mutually exclusive. If you know they have to do with a religion, then you DO know something about them. Or, if you know nothing at all about them, then you don't know WHAT they were for. They could be remnants of an ancient dwelling, school, market, or sports field. An ancient compass or sundial, or headstones on an ancient burial sight. They may simply be features from some ancient formal garden, a type of sculpture or other artwork. They could be fenceposts, for an animal pen or for around a garden, meant to keep animals either in or out. Maybe they once had paintings, or drawings on them like some sort of map or billboard, or maybe an art gallery, or hall of records. I find it humorous that scientists deny the existence of God, or even demons, but are SO quick to assign all ancient enigmas to be about the worship thereof.

[@juliebaker6969]

@@user-ez9is7lb9p you are presupposing that religion was the most important thing in the world to the builders. And that MAY be true. But, as we know nothing about them, or their culture, that is a premature and unscientific presumption. There are myriad possible explanations. They could even be a form of currency, for which there is precedent. The island of yappout (spelling uncertain) in the pacific ocean is home to several stone circles weighing up to four tons. These stones were used as money by the indigenous population. They didn't move the stones, they merely transfered ownership to settle a debt. Judging an unknown culture by what is known about other cultures, even other contemporary cultures is unscientific. It may be a good guess, but it IS only a guess. And until evidence is found it remains a mere theory. And presuming that an ancient culture is necessarily possessed of only primitive technology is an invalid assumption. Ancient artifacts like the Antikythera mechanism prove that some cultures had technology that was surprisingly advanced for their era.

[@mirandamom1346]

Dr Hutton said that nothing is known about the religion, not that it’s unknown if the stones had religious significance.

[@wendyeames5758]

@@mirandamom1346 if they know the stones were for a religion, then something IS known about the religion...

[@user-gy2ez2fw9w]

the deity of the inglishmen seems no fun at all (glad my deity is actually fun fun)